The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1887-05-21
Correspondence.
CHESEYvrLLE, La, May IL. 1887

NhENElEIlLEs LA, knaJ ~ 1901
EDITORS COURIER:
Please permit me through your paper which
is 80 extensively circulated to call your read
ers' attention TO movement of the intelll-
gent farmers in various portions of our State,
which has for its object the ameliOration OF
the farming class, and the lifting them from
the "Slough of Despond' which the credit
system with its consequent high percentages
has ever since the close of the civil war held
them in bondage to non producing class who
have lived and fatteDed on the prohts made
out of the exorbitant commissions and ex'
actions levied on the tillers of the soil.
TIE farmers of north Louisiana, taking cour-
age from the success which has crowned the
Alliances now organized all over Texas, and
which number over two hundred and seven
ty thousand members in that State-over a
year since at Ruston in Lincoln Parish organ
lied Farmers Union" Through able man
agement this association has rapidly develop
ed and to-day numbers over ten thousand
members, and is extending rapidly in every
direction, and will ere twelve months be
known, and have its subordinate Unions, IN
every parish throughout our State.
Its declaration of intentions and purposes
are:
l. To labor for the Farmers Union and it's
purposes, assured that faithful observance
Of the following principles will insure mental,
moral and financial Improvement.
9 That we demand equal rights to all and
special favors to none.
B. That we return to old principles of letting
the office seek the man, instead of the man
seeking the office.
| A. To endorse the motto, In things essen.
tial, unity in all things, charity"
I s. To develop better state, mentally, NOR
ally, socially and financially.
| 6. To create better understanding for sus'
tanning our civil officers in maintaining law
/ and order.
T. To constantly strive to secure entire har.
mony and good will among all mankind and
] brotherly love among ourselves.
I 8. To suppress personal, local, sectional and
! national prejudices, all untruthful rivalry and
all selfish ambition.
9. That we abandon the credit system al
early as possible.
TO- That lobbying is against the welfare Of
| the people, and should be put down by means
iator who will allow himself l6bbied.
1t interviews with no religion or sect, being
content to put in practice that grand princi
Pile which should be the foundation rock O.
all pure religion:
Charity to all men. Peace and good will
among men. In politics it is non-partisan
and although allowing freedom in matters o
opinion, yet in business pertaining to the in
terests of the members it teaches that il
"Unity there is strength'-By recent (Apr
9Th, '81 agreement the Texas State Alliance
and the La. Farmers Union have organized
unQer Naglonat CnarteF cailou tn6 NaLIou
al Farmers Alliance and Cooperative Far
mers' Union of America, head quarters Wash
ington City, Dist. of Columbia, and all nov
work under one secret work-each stat
Union, however, having supreme control owe
it's subordinates within its limits Tennessee
Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Arkansa
estate WheeP1 are rapidly enrolling and vii
all fall into line by January next. Agents com
missioned by the N. K. A. and c. 4. q. are a
work in all the states of the Cotton Belt
J and are giving good accounts of the cause.
The Farmers Union makes war upon no one
but proposes by uniting the farmers, farm Ia
borers, and others interested in rural matter
to show to the world that they are capabl
; and willing to dispense with many who hav
, heretofore charged exorbitant rates for Sci
vices which were unneeded-i's other acoTd'
sce hare the potcer to take care of ourselves an
Our interests, and ,ve propose and intend her,
after to exercise II.
If any of your readers wish to know more
will gladly and cheerfully answer all quei
, tious in my power; and if they wish to o.
II ganize Unions and go in with US, helping t
: work out their salvation, am ready to visi
them and assist them in organization.
Yours truly. LINN TANNER,
Commissioned Organizing Officer for st. La
dry, Avoyelles, and Rapides Parishes.